Alexei Ramirez (SS - White Sox) - Another solid game for Ramirez, this time going 3-for-4 with a run scored. His RBI totals have been limited hitting at the bottom of the White Sox order, but he continues to post a solid average of .333 in September. In total, his sophomore season is fairly flat to his rookie year. In 2008, Ramirez posted a 0.62 FPI with a .290 avg, .317 OBP, .792 OPS, 22.9 AB/HR, and BB/K of 0.295. This year, he has a slight decline in FPI (for now) with a 0.59, .280 avg, .335 OBP, .736 OPS, 32.6 AB/HR and a BB/K of .717. Obviously, the increase in walks in lieu of a decline in HR production are the main differences, but we still have a few weeks left for Ramirez to hit a few more dingers. It will be tough for him to match last year's 21 (he's currently sitting at 15), but at least we know going into 2010 the approximate level of production we can expect from Alexei.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP - Red Sox) - Dice-K looked brilliant in his return to the mound on Tuesday night. After an extremely disappointing season that looked to be over in June, Dice-K rejoined the team and threw a solid 6.0 innings allowing just 3 hits, no runs, and 3 walks while recording 5 K's. He threw 93 pitches and looked like the Dice-K we remember from previous years. If you were able to capitalize on Dice-K after a frustrated owner dropped him, you may have made a good gamble. He threw 93 pitches in total and 68 of them for strikes. He'll be a 2-start pitcher next week against the Royals and the Yankees.
Ian Kinsler (2B - Rangers) - If I could put a two way arrow next to Kinsler's name, I would. With all of the injuries facing the Rangers (specifically Josh Hamilton), Ian Kinsler has dropped to the middle of the order. He hit 5th last night and went 0-for-4, but that spot in the lineup should yield more RBI opportunities for Kinsler down the stretch. Conversely, it will also mean less SB which could keep him from hitting the 30-30 mark (29 HR, 28 SB).
Matt Wieters (C - Orioles) - Wieters picked a good month to show-off his stuff. He went 3-for-4 on Tuesday with a HR and 5 RBI for one of his best offensive days since being called-up in late May. After having a few "disappointing" rookie month, September is proving to payoff to those patient fantasy owners. He's hitting an even .300 for the month with a .391 OBP and a .816 OPS. Obviously last night had a lot to do with his September numbers, but it was one of only a few times this year where you could see the reason for the preseason hype. If he ends strong, expect to see Wieters climb draft boards again in 2010.
Nick Swisher (OF - Yankees) - Swisher is swinging a scorching hot bat for the Yanks. Aside from having 5 HR this month (he just missed another last night), he has a .321 average in September with 10 extra base hits, 9 RBI, and an OBP of .429. He's averaging a HR for every 10.6 AB since September 1st and looks absolutely locked-in. Swisher continues to quietly put up really good numbers for his fantasy owners. He may flirt with the 30 HR mark (currently at 27) and will finish the season with 90+ walks for a solid OBP of about .380.
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